As Corruption Fights Back… DG Musayeroh Introduces Oath Of Secrecy At SLCAA

In the wake of corruption allegations surrounding the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, few days ago, an internal memo from the Authority indicates that staff should now subscribe to an Oath of Secrecy.
This came after allegations of mismanagement of the Authority’s funds and conflict of interest were made against the DG which she said are not true but complete attempt to damage her reputation.
In the Internal Memo dated 10th May 2024, the Authority stated that it is notifying all staff that the HR Division will distribute the Oath of Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement Forms to all staff to fill and sign.
“This is to remind all staff to maintain confidentiality at all times; note that moving forward, staff will have to sign these documents on a yearly basis,” the Memo stated.
This decision of the Authority goes against the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) release of 23rd February 2024 condemning the idea of coercing staff of public institutions to subscribe to oath.
The ACC release further noted that even though MDAs, are purportedly creating oath of secrecy to safeguard sensitive information, that the practice raises serious questions regarding integrity, transparency and accountability which are values public institutions must uphold at all times.
That there is often no legal and policy basis for such moves if not for national security, public health among others.
“The Commission views this new spate of forced proliferation of ‘Oaths of Secrecy and Confidentiality’ as deliberate and intended to avoid public accountability and scrutiny, more so when they deter employees from speaking out on issues of public concern, thereby stifling whistle-blowing efforts…,” the ACC stated.